FMEP Legislative Round-Up January 16, 2026

Resource

1. Bills, Resolutions
2. Letters
3. Hearings & Markups
4. Selected Members on the Record
5. Selected Media & Press releases/Statements

New episodes of FMEP’s Occupied Thoughts Podcasts:

Also of note:

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1. Bills & Resolutions

(FY26 NSPR FUNDING, INCL FOR ISRAEL/ME) HR 7006: On 1/14/26, the House passed the FY26 Financial Services and General Government and National Security, Department of State, and Related Programs Appropriations Act, 2026 – HR 7006 – by a vote of 341-79 [NSPR is the new term for the State Department and Foreign Operations Bill given in this new Trump era].

  • HR 7006 is, in effect, a House/Senate negotiated final version of the bill (absent a normal conference process, since neither chamber actually passed a version of the bill to bring to a formal conference process).
  • As a reminder, in July 2025 the House Appropriations Committee passed text of an NSRP bill that went on to be introduced as HR 4779 (and was never voted on by the full House). I covered the Israel/Middle East-related provisions in that bill, in detail, here).
  • Much of the text of HR 7006 is the same/similar to HR 4779, but much of it is different, with differences extending to the Israel/Middle East provisions.
  • Much of the text of HR 7006 is the same/similar to HR 4779, but much of it is different, with differences extending to the Israel/Middle East provisions. The Israel/Middle East-related provisions in HR 7006 are all covered in detail here, and include: annual aid to Israel and other countries of the Middle East; a continued expansion of restrictions, conditions, limitations, etc on aid for Palestinians (notwithstanding the fact that the bill does not earmark any funds for the Palestinians); and a total ban on funding to UNRWA.
  • NOTE: The July 2025 version of the bill passed by the House Appropriations Committee included extensive report language related to Israel and the Middle East. The January 2026 version is accompanied by a House/Senate Joint Explanatory Statement (JES), which included additions language about congressional intent and requirements. The JES also clarifies, explicitly, that ALL of the report language from the original House report ALSO applies, unless specifically indicated otherwise in the JES. So both Report Language and JES language is included with the details of the new bill.
  • NOTE: Massie (R-KY) offered amendments to strip aid for Israel, Egypt, and Jordan out of the bill. None of these amendments was considered on the House floor. Also see: Massie (R-KY) 1/12/26: X-post- “This week I could save taxpayers $6.9 billion dollars with three amendments I have submitted to cut foreign aid from the spending bill: one saves $3,300,000,000 from Israel | one saves $2,100,000,000 from Jordan | one saves $1,500,000,000 from Egypt“
  • House Appropriations Committee – Committee Releases Conferenced FSGG and NSRP Bills & House Passes H.R. 7006, Strengthening National Security, Protecting Economic Growth, and Restoring Regular Order; bill summary;
  • Media: 2026 State Dept. funding bill leverages U.S. funding to combat antisemitism, anti-Israel bias in U.N. (Jewish Insider 1/13/26); House passes State Department funding bill with Israel aid (Jewish News Syndicate 1/15/26); US House Passes State Department Funding Bill With $3.3 Billion in Security Assistance to Israel (Algemeiner 1/15/26)

(SANCTIONS ON ISRAEL FOR BLOCKING OF GAZA AID) S. 3634 [bill text]: Introduced 1/14/26 by Wyden (D-OR), “A bill to express the sense of Congress regarding the conduct by the Netanyahu administration in Gaza and to impose sanctions to discourage governments from obstructing humanitarian assistance, and for other purposes.” Referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations. Also see: Wyden press release – Wyden Introduces Legislation to Ensure Aid to Gaza, Accountability for Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu and Government Officials Worldwide Who Enable Human Rights Violations [“Legislation Makes Clear America Condemns Abuses by Prime Minister Netanyahu and Top Officials; Calls for Complying with Human Rights and Humanitarian Law; Bill Applies to Any Government and Senior Military Official Complicit in Blocking Humanitarian Aid“]; Wyden’s 1-pager explanation of the bill; Ron Wyden introduces legislation that could sanction Israeli officials over withholding Gaza aid (Jewish Insider 1/15/26)

(DE-FUND UN IF IT EXPELS ISRAEL) HR 7018 [bill text]: Introduced 1/12/26 by Lawler (R-NY) and Moskowitz (D-FL), “To limit funding for United States participation in the United Nations if Israel is illegally expelled.” Referred to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs. Also see: Lawler press release – Lawler, Moskowitz Introduce Bill to Halt U.S. Funding for UN Agencies That Illegally Expel Israel; Lawler X-post – “Israel is one of America’s strongest partners across the world. The UN has a responsibility to uphold its own rules, not bend them to appease extremists or reward antisemitism. The United States should not bankroll institutions that engage in discriminatory and unlawful actions against our allies.”; Bipartisan bill would limit US funding to United Nations if Israel expelled (Jewish News Syndicate 1/13/26)

(SUPPORTING IRAN PROTESTERS) H. Res. 993 [resolution text]: Introduced 1/13/26 by Ansari (D-AZ) and 7 bipartisan cosponsors, “Recognizing and expressing support for the Iranian people protesting for a free and democratic Iran.” Referred to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs. Also see: Ansari press release – Rep. Ansari Introduces Bipartisan Resolution Expressing Support for Protesters Demanding a Free and Democratic Iran; Carey (R-OH) press release – Carey Joins Bipartisan Resolution Expressing Support for Iran Protestors

(RELIGIOUS FREEDOM) S. Res. XXX [resolution text]: On 1/14/26 Risch (R-ID) announced the introduction of a new resolution “Expressing the need for the United States’ continued leadership on matters of religious freedom.” As of this writing (3:30pm ET on 1/16/26) the resolution does not yet appear in the Congressional Record. Also see: Risch press release – Risch, Colleagues Introduce Resolution in Support of Religious Freedom. Countries called out in the resolution for having “in patterns of violations of varying degrees of religious freedom” include Algeria, Egypt, Iran, Iraq, Saudi Arabia, Syria, and Turkey.

(DEFENDING CIVIL SOCIETY/PROTEST) HR 7060 // S. 3646 [bill text]: Introduced 1/14/26 in the House by Crow (D-CO) and 10 Democratic cosponsors, and in the Senate by Murphy (D-CT) and 10 Democratic cosponsor, “To stop the Government from attacking individuals and organizations for their political speech or participation,” aka the “No Political Enemies (NOPE) Act.” Referred to the House Committees on the Judiciary, Oversight and Government Reform, and Ways and Means, and the Senate Committee on the Judiciary. Also see: press release – Murphy, Crow Lead Bicameral Group Of Democrats To Introduce Bill To Protect First Amendment Rights, Safeguard Americans From Politically Motivated Harassment And Prosecutions; one-pager explaining the bill

(DEFENDING FREE SPEECH/CIVIL SOCIETY) HR 7072: Introduced 1/14/26 by Moulton (D-MA), “To prohibit politically motivated prosecutions and investigations, and for other purposes.” Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.

2. Letters

3. Hearings & Markups

January 13, 2026: The House Ways and Means Committee’s Subcommittee on Trade held a hearing entitled, Maintaining American Innovation and Technology Leadership (video). The testimony of one of the witnesses, Anissa Brennan (Senior Vice President of Global Policy and Federal Affairs at the Motion Picture Association) touched on Israel: “In May 2025, Israel’s Ministerial Committee for Legislation approved an updated Broadcasting (Communications) Bill. The bill maintains an investment obligation that would apply to both domestic and international content providers requiring content providers with annual revenues over 40 million shekels to invest 6.5 percent of revenues in ‘high-quality genre’ through ‘local production.’ For content providers not previously subject to an investment obligation, the rate will phase in gradually from 2.0 percent in 2026 to 6.5 percent by 2032. This bill also lacks an exemption for thematic or niche audiovisual (AV) services. The status of this proposed investment obligation is unclear, however, as it was accompanied with language indicating that the provision was subject to consultations with the United States. Such a local content investment obligation would be in violation of the 1985 U.S.-Israel Free Trade Agreement.”

January 13, 2026: The House Homeland Security Committee’s Subcommittee on Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Protection hearing entitled, Defense through Offense: Examining U.S. Cyber Capabilities to Deter and Disrupt Malign Foreign Activity Targeting the Homeland (video). The testimony of Emily Harding (CSIS) included: “In November 2023, a designated terrorist group that is also the covert action arm of the Iranian government, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), attacked U.S. water plants. The stated target was an Israeli company that makes software for control systems, and the attack was meant to be retaliation for the war in Gaza. While the intent was to embarrass Israel, the facts are undeniable: A terrorist group attempted to impair water delivery to civilians in the United States.”

4. Selected Members on the Record

Palestinians

  • Fetterman (D-PA) 1/13/26: X-post – “Martin Luther King Day should be reserved to teach and celebrate his profound legacy to our nation. I strongly reject indoctrination steeped in antisemitism and anti-Israel rhetoric, normalizing violence under the auspice of ‘resistance.’” With screenshot of Fox News headline: “Teach-in for ‘Philly to Palestine’ set for Martin Luther King Jr. day”
  • Sanders (I-VT) 1/11/26: X-post – “Israel is forcing Doctors Without Borders & dozens of other humanitarian groups to end their work in Gaza. Countless innocent people rely on these services amid the ongoing crisis there. This is yet another cruel, inhumane step from the extremist Israeli government.“

Iran

[NOTE: it feels like almost every member of both the House and Senate wants to get on the record supporting Iranian protesters and denouncing the Iranian regime. There are just too many statements to include them all here, so I’m only including the ones that are specifically about bombing/not bombing Iran or that are otherwise outside of the normal messaging)

  • Graham (R-SC) 1/15/26: X-post – “I am traveling to Israel to meet with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his team at this crucial time in the history of the Middle East. The goal is to build on the historic opportunities created by President Trump’s unprecedented leadership, to stand up to evil, and to support the people who are sacrificing for freedom. The Trump-Netanyahu alliance has thus far been one of the strongest partnerships in the history of the U.S.-Israel relationship, and I am hopeful it will pay dividends in the near future. We live in a time of great consequence with the Middle East on the verge of previously unimaginable change. Standing together and following through on our commitments only makes us stronger.“
  • Graham (R-SC) 1/15/26: X-post – “All the headlines suggesting that our so-called Arab allies have intervened on behalf of Iran to avoid decisive military action by President Trump are beyond disturbing. The ayatollah’s regime has American blood on its hands. They are slaughtering people in the streets. If it is accurate that the Arab response is “action is not necessary against Iran” given this current outrageous slaughter of innocent people, then there will be a dramatic rethinking on my part regarding the nature of the alliances now and in the future.”
  • Grassley (R-IA) 1/15/26: Grassley Opens Judiciary Committee Executive Business Meeting, Highlights Iran Oversight [excerpt: “…since Iran’s in the news again, I’d like to highlight some of my oversight from last year. First of all, where are all of the Pro-Hamas, Anti-Israel protesters? You’d think they’d be out here supporting the people of Iran against the repressive regime. But, they’re nowhere to be seen. In March of 2025, I released a majority staff report detailing whistleblower-provided records. Those records showed that the Obama-Biden State Department obstructed law enforcement efforts to arrest high-level Iranian targets. This obstruction, led by then-Secretary John Kerry, was done because of the political considerations of the failed Iran Nuclear Deal.”]
  • Meeks (D-NY) 1/15/26: Meeks Cautions Against U.S. Military Strikes on Iran
  • Massie (R-KY) 1/15/25: X-post – “In the wake of U.S. threats of military action against Iran if protesters there are killed while demonstrating against the Iranian government, 70% of voters think the U.S. should not get involved, while 18% think the U.S. should take military action…”
  • Paul (R-KY) 1/14/26: X-post w/ video – “America should always support the cause of freedom, but dropping bombs on Iran won’t help. It could make things worse. We owe it to the Iranian people to stand with them, but NOT through foreign intervention.“
  • Welch (D-VT) 1/14/26: X-post – “I’m outraged and disgusted by the shootings of thousands of unarmed protesters in Iran. These protests demonstrate that the brave Iranian people share the same desire for freedom and a better life as Americans and people everywhere.  They also illustrate the horrific risks of deadly force when autocratic governments with so much power consolidated in a single person refuse to share any of that power. At the same time, I’m deeply opposed to President Trump’s threats to use military force against Iran.  Any decision to do so must be made by Congress, consistent with the Constitution and the War Powers Act.  If there is anything we have learned from America’s wars of regime change in Afghanistan and Iraq, it’s that the use of American military force can threaten the very people fighting for freedom—by associating them with foreign forces and interests. My thoughts and hopes are with the Iranian people, that their aspirations for freedom will be realized by the strength of their courage and perseverance.“
  • Graham (R-SC) 1/14/26: X-post w/ video – “Meeting with @PahlaviReza, the exiled crown prince of Iran. We stand with the people of Iran and against the brutal regime. Make Iran Great Again.“
  • Graham (R-SC) 1/14/26: X-post – “Every indication that I’ve seen says that the Iranian regime’s killing of protestors is still very much in full swing. The death toll is mounting by the hour. Hoping that help is on the way.“
  • Jacobs (D-CA) 1/14/26: X-post – “U.S. intervention in Iran would be lawless and reckless. It would most likely backfire, causing retaliation and civilian casualties, putting us in *another* endless quagmire, and making this about the U.S. rather than the desires of the Iranian people.“
  • Schakowsky (D-IL) 1/14/26: X-post – “Americans overwhelmingly do not want another war, and the United States must not weaponize their struggle for political gain.” Linked to Politico article: New poll reveals majority of voters oppose US strike on Iran, say Trump has gone too far abroad
  • Carter (R-GA) 1/14/26: X-post – “Iran has gone nearly a week without access to the internet and phone calls, with thousands of protestors reportedly murdered. @Apple, the leading phone brand in the world, must enable satellite messaging for Iran so they can message family and report atrocities being committed by the Iranian regime.”
  • Ogles (R-TN) 1/14/26: X-post – “FACT: Qatar funds terrorism and Qatar’s opinion on what happens in Iran is self serving.” Responding to Mark Levin X-post, “As Iran slaughters thousands of mostly young people seeking freedom, Qatar and Saudi Arabia are reportedly lobbying POTUS not to hit Iran. So much for our new friends.”
  • Kaine (D-VA) 1/13/26: X-post – “Military action in Iran would be a major misstep. The Iranian people are courageously protesting a brutal regime, and any US strikes would shift the focus away from Iran leaders’ disastrous policies. I’m proud of the Iranian people fighting for human rights, dignity, and freedom.“
  • Fine (R-FL) 1/13/26: X-post – “President Trump is ready to take action against the Muslim terror regime in Iran. Where is the United Nations as thousands of Iranians are being killed standing up for freedom? Nowhere to be found. Their silence speaks volumes.”
  • Lieu (D-CA) 1/13/26: X-post w/ video – “We should absolutely support the people of Iran who are fighting back against a brutal regime that has repressed them. But if the President wants to use military force, the Constitution requires authorization from Congress. He cannot just do so without our authorization.”
  • Mast (R-FL) 1/13/26: X-post w/ video – “ICYMI: In today’s @TransportGOP hearing, I asked USCG Rear Admiral David C. Barata on whether Iran’s ‘Ghost Fleet’ vessels pose an environmental threat to the Gulf of America.“
  • Cornyn (R-TX) 1/13/26: X-post – “Donald Trump promised to intervene if the Iranian regime resorted to mass murder, and the protesters heard him and are dying in the streets.”
  • Fine (R-FL) 1/13/26: X-post w/ video – “The extremely targeted strikes against our enemies have made President Trump successful. We got Maduro, took out Iran’s nuclear facilities, and will figure out what is specific and targeted to deal with Iran moving forward. This is the way, not endless conflicts that could drag us in for trillions of dollars and decades in a country.”
  • Mullin (R-OK) 1/13/26: Senator Mullin Joins “Squawk Box”, Puts Iran on Notice
  • Daines (R-MT) 1/12/26: Daines on Fox Business: Regime Change in Iran is “A Berlin Wall Moment for the Middle East
  • Bacon (R-NE) 1/12/26: X-post – “Iran has murdered over a thousand American service members since the Beirut barracks bombing. The regime hates America and its values. I encourage the President to do whatever it can overtly and covertly to sink the enemy who hates us.“
  • Ramirez (D-IL) 1/12/26: X-post – “I stand with the people of Iran who are demanding a life free from oppression and state violence. The international community must demand an end to the violence against civilians and accountability for what has unfolded. However, Congress has not authorized the U.S. to take military action. Peace and democracy around the world have never been realized through U.S. military intervention“

Syria/Turkey

  • Pallone (D-NJ) 1/15/26: X-post – “There are now credible reports that Syrian forces, alongside Turkey, may be advancing against our Kurdish allies in Northern Syria. I’m deeply concerned by this news.   Any further attacks on these forces, who were central to defeating ISIS and remain key allies of the United States, are unacceptable. There must be immediate de-escalation.”
  • Graham (R-SC) 1/15/26: X-post – “As I have previously stated, I am growing increasingly concerned that the new Syrian government is aligning with Turkey to use military force against the Syrian Kurds, who are our strongest ally in the enduring defeat of ISIS in Syria. They also have control of about 9,000 of the worst of the worst ISIS prisoners. It is in our vital national security interest that these prisoners do not go back to the battlefield. I support a fair chance for the new Syrian government, however if there’s an escalation of attacks against the Kurds by Syrian forces supported by Turkey, this will create a whole new dynamic. I believe there would be wide and deep bipartisan support to push back against such action. If anyone believes that I or any of my colleagues would be comfortable – at this stage – for the ISIS prisoners to be guarded by the Syrian army or Turkey instead of the Kurds, you are sadly mistaken. Choose wisely.“
  • House Foreign Affairs Committee (Dems) 1/13/26: X-post – “RM @RepGregoryMeeks: I continue to monitor the situation in Aleppo with great concern and call for urgent de-escalation. All displaced civilians must be permitted to return to their homes, while food and basic supplies must reach Syrian Kurdish areas in need. It is vital for all Syrian communities to be protected and fully represented in the new Syria.”

5. Selected Media

Israel/AIPAC in US elex & politics – GENERAL

Israel/AIPAC in US elex & politics – New York

Israel/AIPAC in US elex & politics – Texas

Israel/AIPAC in US elex & politics – Michigan

Israel/AIPAC in US elex & politics – Illinois

  • Times Tribune 1/10/26: Beyond the Ballot Backs Dylan Blaha for Congress in IL-13 [“Unlike his opponent, he refuses PAC money and rejects the influence of both corporate and AIPAC-aligned interests, running on what Beyond the Ballot has termed a strength through peace agenda. To govern from the left is to reject the lie that endless militarization equals security, and that we must instead enforce peace and international cooperation, not blank-check foreign policy shaped by powerful, wealthy global elites.“]

Israel/AIPAC in US elex & politics – California

Israel/AIPAC in US elex & politics – Alaska

Israel/AIPAC in US elex & politics – Pennsylvania

Israel/AIPAC in US elex & politics – New Jersey

Israel/AIPAC in US elex & politics – Missouri

  • Jewish News Syndicate 1/16/26: Cori Bush blames AIPAC for past loss, seeks return to Congress [“’AIPAC didn’t make me, so AIPAC can’t break me,’ said the former member of the anti-Israel ‘Squad’ in the U.S. House of Representatives.”]

Other stuff